Tag Archives: Dylan Rosen

Roundup: Basketball, Wrestling, Karting …

The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston have a number of sub-groups. They cover many interests, like technology, travel and food.

Plus music.

Last week, the Y’s Men’s Classical Society hosted the Staples Jazz Band, at the Westport Library.

The group, directed by Kevin Mazzarella, “displayed musicianship well beyond their years,” the Y’s Men newsletter says.

The concert was the second of 4 performances. Coming soon: the Staples Stradivarius Chamber Orchestra, and the Art Greenberg Memorial Olga Vinokur Piano.

But you don’t have to be a Y’s Man to enjoy the Jazz Band. Click here or below to watch and listen. (The concert starts at the 4:30 mark.)

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Tommy Greenwald got more than he bargained for, when he watched the Harvard-Yale men’s basketball game on ESPNU.

Cooper Boardman was on the call.

The 2017 Staples High School and 2021 Syracuse University grad has broadcast Boston Red Sox games on the  WEEI radio network. He also worked for Fox Sports and Westword One, doing college basketball, softball and lacrosse.

Boardman began his career at Staples. He called a number of sports, and won several John Drury Awards.

(Screenshot/Tommy Greenwald)

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Speaking of sports: congratulations to Staples wrestlers.

Seamus Brannigan and Julian Rousseau finished first, at this weekend’s FCIAC (league) championships.

Damian Rousseau and Gavin Donaldson placed second, while Kai Schwartz was fourth.

Up next: the state and open meets. Go Wreckers:

From left: Head coach Jordan Marion, Gavin Donaldson, Damian Rousseau, Seamus Brannigan, Julian Rousseau, Kai Schwartz, Francesco Beccarra, Charlie Goldman, Amelia Guimond, coach Will Switzer. Not pictured: Jessiah Jones, Amere Miller, Grady McHugh, Kia Halper.

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Speaking still of sports: Congratulations to Dylan Rosen!

The Coleytown Middle School 8th grader recently placed 3rd in Junior 3 Clone Class. It was his first full season of racing with the Norwalk Karting Association, at Calf Pasture Beach.

Dylan is coached by 66 year-old Hugh Gorman. They began a trackside friendship during repairs, and Hugh began offering tips to improve the kart and Dylan’s driving skills.

“He has a lot of patience to talk through things and share his knowledge.” said the 13-year-old racer.

When the season ended in November, Dylan’s 25-year-old Coyote Kart was beyond repair. He and his dad, Frank, called the company. They offered a steep discount on a 15-year-old frame, which they could transfer their working parts to.

Dylan did all the work on it himself. He plans to compete in regional races, beginning next month — with a goal of qualifying for Daytona kart week.

He is looking for local sponsors, to help with karting expenses. Email rosenfamilyracing@gmail.com for details.

Dylan Rosen, at work on his kart.

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The VFW is many things, to many people.

This Friday (February 20, 5:30 p.m.), it becomes a piano karaoke bar.

All singers, of all levels, are welcome. Songs range from rock and pop to standards and Broadway. A piano accompanist will help you sound great.

Admission is free. There’s a cash bar too.

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Bob Mitchell — who hopefully was a passenger in this car, and not the driver — sends this photo …

… and writes: “Will this ever change? It’s been what, 6 years? Doesn’t Delamar want their own signs now?

“But the underlying question: Do these signs really cause travelers to come off the highway looking for accommodations? In this age of ubiquitous GPS?

“Nevertheless, come on, Department of Transporation.”

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Many “Westport … Naturally” photos show close-ups: birds, flowers and the like.

Today’s is a wider view. There is plenty of natural wonder here, in this shot of Old Mill, Long Island Sound and more, from Hillspoint Road.

(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)

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And finally … Happy Presidents Day!

We honor them both straightforwardly …

… and humorously:

(Hail to the chief! And hail to “06880”! Honor your favorite president, by clicking here to support your hyper-local blog. Let us know who he is. Democrats, Republicans, Whigs — all are welcome!)

Dylan Rosen: Westport’s Karting King

Many 12-year-olds dream of scoring goals or hitting home runs. But Dylan Rosen is on a different track.

“I’m not a stick-and-ball kid,” the Coleytown Middle School rising 8th grader says. “I’m more of a helmet-and-fireproof-jacket kinda kid.”

His family had no racing experience. So Dylan and his father Frank turned to neighbor Jim Torok. The dirt track driver in turn steered them toward karting.

After one visit to the Norwalk Karting Association at Calf Pasture Beach, Dylan was hooked.

Dylan Rosen with Hugh Gorman, at Calf Pasture Beach. 

A used kart from engine builder Forrest Edelman soon arrived.

Then came 22 races. He lost them all.

But Dylan did not give up.

A chance meeting with 2009 Staples High School graduate Parker Kligerman (and former NKA racer) at Daytona was pivotal.

The professional NASCAR driver gave Dylan encouragement and advice, especially on his struggles making qualifying weight.

Dylan Rosen with Parker Kligerman.

Early this past season, Dylan’s kart stalled. Standing nearby was Hugh Gorman, a former Sports Car Club of America crew chief.

He offered help, and a mentorship began.

Gorman walked the track with Dylan, taught him race lines, and helped him rebuild the kart.

Dylan was also preparing for his bar mitzvah and doing a volunteer project. He and his mom Barrie connected with Fairfield County-based Piston Foundation, which provides mentors and scholarships for young people interested in pursuing a career in the collector car industry.

Dylan became a youth ambassador, raising over $5,000 for the scholarship fund. He proudly carries the Piston Foundation name on his kart, jacket and helmet.

Mayo Smith — a Westport resident, Piston Foundation board member, and former Rolex 24 driver and podium finisher — oversaw the effort. He mentored Dylan, and set up a trackside booth.

Dylan Rosen and Mayo Smith.

With guidance from Smith and Gorman, Dylan climbed from the back of the pack to third.

“There’s nothing wrong with a respectable third place,” Smith notes.

Dylan will enter the fall season more determined than ever.

Right now, he’s racing toward another goal. Dylan’s bar mitzvah will be celebrated soon at the Spanish synagogue in Prague, following a family tour of Poland.

(Westport is filled with interesting young people — and “06880” is honored to tell their stories. If you enjoy reading them — or any other feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)